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Kier Group PLC on Tuesday reported higher annual profit, revenue and shareholder returns, as the infrastructure services firm said it is trading ahead of expectations in the early stages of its new financial year. The Salford, England-based infrastructure services, construction and property group said pretax profit rose 15% to £78.1 million in the 12 months to June 30, from £68.1 million a year earlier. Group revenue increased 4.4% to £4.08 billion from £3.91 billion, while adjusted operating profit improved 5.9% to £159.1 million from £150.2 million. The order book expanded to a record £11.0 billion, up from £10.8 billion the year before, providing what Kier described as ‘considerable, multi-year revenue visibility.’ Net cash strengthened to £204.1 million at year-end, compared with £167.2 million. The company proposed a full-year dividend of 7.2 pence per share, up 38% from 5.2p. This included a final payout of 5.2p, raised from 3.5p. Shares in Kier Group rose 8.4% to 208.10 pence in London on Tuesday morning. Chief Executive Andrew Davies said: ‘In the first year of our long-term sustainable growth plan the group delivered strongly, with profit performance, in particular, ahead of our initial expectations. Our adjusted operating profit margin of 3.9% has progressed well towards our target range of 4.0% to 4.5%, while we also grew our order book to a record £11 billion.’ Looking ahead, Kier said it has started the new financial year well and is currently trading ‘slightly ahead’ of board expectations for financial 2026. Davies, who has led the company for six years, added it had been ‘a privilege to lead Kier’ through its transformation into a stronger and more resilient business. He will be succeeded by Stuart Togwell, the company’s incoming chief executive. Copyright 2025 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
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